Framed diffuser plate for a lighting fixture



M\ BODIAN Aug. 2, 1966 FRAMED DIFFUSER PLATE FOR A LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed May 22, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 3.

IN VEN TOR IIA/7605 MWA/I A Tron/ver I6 26 3.19 I9 I3 Aug. 2, 1966 M. BODIAN FRAMED DIFFUSER PLATE FOR A LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed May 22, 1964 2. Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 6.

FIG. 5.

/lv vE/v ron ,4M/7605 5MM/l A TTORNEY United States Patent O 3,264,470 FRAMED DIFFUSER PLATE FOR A LIGHTING FIXTURE Marcus Bodian, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Sunbeam Lighting Company, Los Angeles, Calif., a limited partnershp Filed May 22, 1964, Ser. No. 369,394 4 Claims. (Cl. 240-147) This invention relates to an assembly forming a rectilinear framed diffuser plate particularly :adapted for use as a closure for a lighting fixture.

One object of the invention is to provide means for assembling side strips, end strips and diffuser plate into a framed rectilinear closure of any selected dimensions, for use on a light fixture. Another object is to provide spring tab corner clips, frame side strips, frame end strips, and a rectangular diffuser plate of any selected dimensions in an assembly forming a closure for a ceiling lighting fixture. Another object is to provide an assembly of a diffuser plate of any selected dimensions with end strips, side strips, `and removable corner clips to form a rectilinear ceiling light fixture closure. Another object is to provide formed sheet ymetal pivots removably attached to corner clips in an assembled framed closure for a ceiling light fixture. A still further object is to provide removable spring-tab corner clips for a diffuser plate frame for a ceiling light fixture.

These and other objects are attained by my invention which will be understood from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which FIG. l'is a perspective view of an assembled framed light fixture diffuser plate;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the frame shown in FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pivot or member removable attachable to corner clips of an assembled frame;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 4; Y

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view (open side up) of a corner clip, which holds the end and side strips together;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on the line 9 9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the framed diffuser plate hingedly mounted on the structural members of the light fixture housing; and

FIG. Il is a cross-sectional View taken on the line 11-11 of FIG. 10, showing an alternative form of the side framing extrusion members.

Referring to the drawings, a rectangular diffuser plate closure 12 consists of a glass or synthetic plastic diffuser plate 13 of any selected surface pattern or finish which will provide the required diffusion of the light generated in the fixture, and framing members attached to said diffuser plate. The edges -or rim portions 14 on the sides of the diffuser plate 13 are preferably slightly thickened or upset, .to form more rigid engagements in the inwardly facing grooves 15 of side framing members 18. The grooves 15 are preferably slightly tapered or provided with a narrowed opening to better hold the edges of the diffuser plate. The framing members 16 and 18 are preferably elongated extrusions which may be made of plastic material or metal (for example, aluminum), and which are cut to the proper length to provide fram- 3,264,470 Patented August 2, 1966 ICC ing members for a diffuser plate of any selected dimensions.

The plastic extrusion pieces which form the end framing members 16 are provided with an inwardly facing groove 17 which is adapted to receive the end edges 19 of the diffuser plate 13.

The plastic extrusion pieces which form the side framing members 18 are provided with inwardly facing tapered slots or grooves 15 for receiving the upset edges of the diffuser plate 13 as above described. The side framing members 18 and end framing members 16 are also provided with an outwardly facing groove 20 disposed adjacent the edges of said framing members opposite the grooves 15 and 17, the said outwardly facing grooves 20 being arranged to receive the spring tabs 22 of the corner clips 23 as will be described.

Each corner clip 23 consists of two angularly disposed channel members 27 having a connecting integral side strip 25 common to the two adjoining channel members 27, and facing inwardly relative to the closure 12. An integral pressed-out corner brace 28 may be formed in the angular portion of the connecting strip 25 as shown particularly in FIGS. 8 .and 9. The outer side strips 25 of each of the channel members 27 of a corner clip 23 are partly severed and formed into an opposed pair of longitudinally disposed spring tabs 22. To facilitate mounting of the corner tabs over the free edges of the framing members 16 and 18, one of the tabs 22 away from the corner may be provided with a reverse curvature 29 at its end so that the corner clip 23 may be easily mounted by moving it along the groove 20 in one direction whereas the other tab (without reverse curvature at its end) tends to resist sliding along the groove 20 in the opposite direction.

Pivot members 32 by which the assembled closure 12 may be hingedly mounted with respect to .a light fixture casing 34 may be provided at selected adjacent corners. Each pivot member 32 consists of an elongated narrow sheet metal strip bent into a looped or return bend to form a pivot pin 35 having two extended legs, one of which 36 is bent outwardly at right angles yto the pivot axis, both legs 36 and 37 being arranged to fit under the outer side strips 26 of the channel portions of a corner clip 23. The outer ends 38 of the legs 36 and 37 are provided with end tabs 39 which after assembly under the clips 23, abut the ends of the channel portions and prevent the endwise movement of the pivot pins 35. The pivot pins 35 may be more or less roughly shaped to cylindrical form (as shown particularly in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6) or left as a squared form (as shown in FIG. 10). The pivot pins 35 may be mounted in holes or notches suitably provided in the end members of a fixture casing, or as shown in FIG. 10, they may merely rest on the upper surface of an end structural member 42 of the fixture casing 34.

The side framing members may alternatively be provided with an outside rim or flange, as shown in the alternative (cross-sectional) structure of FIG. 11, in which the extruded side framing member 18A has a tapered groove 15 for receiving the edge of the diffuser plate 13, an outwardly facing groove 20A for receiving the spring tabs 22 of the corner clips 23, and, intermediate these grooves, an outwardly extending flange 40 which serves to make a better seal between the edges of the closure and the edges of the fixture casing.

While a typical rectangular closure has been shown and described, it will be clear that the invention may be applied to any rectilinear closure in which the angles between adjacent sides Amay be more or less than with .corresponding angles between the two channel pieces forming the angle clips.

The advantages of my assembly will be apparent. sures of any dimensions may be readily fabricated from Clothe standardized elements, and the closure may be pivotali ly supported on any selected edge.

The objectives stated in the beginning have been atf tained.

I claim 1.1 A framed closure for a lighting 4fixture comprising a rectilinear diffuser plate; framemembers corresponding 1 in lengths to the straight line edges of said diffuser plate,`

land enclosing said plate, each of said frame members having a lower inwardly facing groove engaging theedges of said plate and having an upper outwardly facing groove adapted to engage the holding tabs of corner clips; and corner clips fastened over the rims of adjacent end portions of said frame members, each of said clips consisting q of two angularly 4disposed channel-shaped sheet metal members held together by the connecting metal side strip which forms the inner side of said channel members, the outer side strip of said channel members having spring tabs engaged in said upper grooveof said frame members.`

2. A framediclosure for a lighting tixtureV comprising a rectilinear dituser plate; frame members corresponding in lengths to the straight line edges of said diffuser plate, and enclosing said plate, eachof said frame members having a lower inwardly facing groove engaging the edges of said plate and having an upperoutwardly facing groove adapted to engage the holding tabs ofcorner clips; corner clips fastened over the rims of adjacent end portions l of said frame members, each of said clips consisting of two angularly disposed channel-shaped sheet metal mem-V bers held together by the connecting metal side strip which forms the inner side of said channel members, the outer side strip of said channel members having spring holding tabs engaged in said upper grooves of said frame members; and pivot members attached yt0 adjacent corner clips and extending outwardly therefrom.

3.A framed closure for a lighting fixture comprising a rectilinear diffuser plate; frame members correspondi ing in lengths to the straight line edges of said diffuser..

members held together by the connecting metal side strip v which ffo'rrnsf-the` inner side t of said channel; members, t

the outer side strip of said 4channel members'having spring holding tabs engaged in said upper grooves of said frame members; and pivot members: attached to adjacent corner clips and extending outwardly; therefrom, said pivot members including Lal pivot pin anda pair` of legs disposed angularly and yeach leg being engaged between said frame members and one;of said angularly disposedchannel meme l,bers of said .corner clips.

4. Inza framed rclosure vfor a lighting ixturehaving a rectilineardiifuser plate, and frame members corresponding in lengt-hs to the straight line edges, of said` diluser plate, and enclosing said end portions of said frame mem-l bers, said clips consisting `of two :angularly disposed chan-` nel-shapedrsheet metal members held l'together byA the connecting metal side strip forming the inner side of ysaid channelmembers, kthe outer side strip of each vof said channel members having spring holding tabs engaging the sides of said frame members, and a pivot memberat-v tached to a cornerr clip and extending outwardly therefrom, said pivot member comprising a pivot pin` and a pair of legs disposed angularly therefrom and adapted to be engaged between said frame members and the channel' members of saidV clips; l j References Cited by; the Examiner f UNITED STATES 1-"A".|El\l'l`SYV 2,741,344 4/1956 Herr. l 3,211,905 10/1965-Pincha et a1.. 24o147x NORTON ANSI-IER, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES R. RHODES, :Assistant Examiner. 

3. A FRAMED CLOSURE FOR A LIGHTING FIXTURE COMPRISING A RECTILINEAR DIFFUSER PLATE; FRAME MEMBERS CORRESPONDING IN LENGTHS TO THE STRAIGHT LINE EDGES OF SAID DIFFUSER PLATE, AND ENCLOSING SAID PLATE, EACH OF SAID FRAME MEMBERS HAVING A LOWER INWARDLY FACING GROOVE ENGAGING THE EDGES OF SAID PLATE AND HAVING AN UPPER OUTWARDLY FACING GROOVE ADAPTED TO ENGAGE THE HOLDING TABS OF CORNER CLIPS; CORNER CLIPS FASTENED OVER THE RIMS OF ADJACENT END PORTIONS OF SAID FRAME MEMBERS, EACH OF SAID CLIPS CONSISTING OF TWO ANGULARLY DISPOSED CHANNEL-SHAPED SHEET METAL MEMBERS HELD TOGETHER BY THE CONNECTING METAL SIDE STRIP WHICH FORMS THE INNER SIDE OF SAID CHANNEL MEMBERS, THE OUTER SIDE STRIP OF SAID CHANNEL MEMBERS HAVING SPRING HOLDING TABS ENGAGED IN SAID UPPER GROOVES OF SAID FRAME MEMBERS; AND PIVOT MEMBERS ATTACHED TO ADJACENT CORNER CLIPS AND EXTENDING OUTWARRDLY THEREFROM, SAID PIVOT MEMBERS INCLUDING A PIVOT PIN IN A PAIR OF LEGS DISPOSED ANGULARLY AND EACH LEG BEING ENGAGED BETWEEN SAID FRAME MEMBERS AND ONE OF SAID ANGULARLY DISPOSED CHANNEL MEMBERS OF SAID CORNER CLIPS. 